The Next Hike

Friday, June 26, 2015

I forgot to include in my last email hike notice an invitation to hikers from Diana Vaughn.

You are invited back to Diana's house on Blair Rd. after the hike tomorrow where I have no doubt the very best English tea will be served in great style, together with some appropriate goodies of the edible kind.
JD.

Last week we had a day that started off quite cloudy but it soon became hot and sunny and we were glad to be hiking much of the time in forest shade. We parked on the gasline at Second Lake and followed a circular route that took us on old logging roads and forest trails over a ridge to Thompson Road and back again. The lunch spot was on a bluff with quite an extensive view across the straits to Vancouver Island. The hike included natural history features of interest that included a handsome black and white garter snake, some rare and some common wintergreen flowers and a clear pool of water not far from Third Lake with lots of active trout fry.

JD.

Hiking near Thompson Road on an old logging road covered in masses of white daisies.

Friday, June 19, 2015

Last week we drove south on Bell Road just to the Hydro East Junction and parked there in the shade. We started by walking south towards Hydro East and then turned off on the very first old road on the left. This part of the hike is very pleasant in summer time as there is lots of shade on most of the route all the way to the viewpoint lunch spot which has a choice of sun or shade and a great view to the Coast Mountains and nearby Sunshine Coast. Not long before reaching the lunch spot a crossroad offers a short optional side trip to a lovely beaver pond and close to the water a not so lovely blown-up camping trailer. Some years ago a propane leak inside must have ignited and the result is a field of debris that is quite extensive. We were surprised to find the dam and lodge were in excellent condition with evidence of recent beaver maintenance activity.

My photo this week is from two weeks ago when we hiked to the top of Mount Flicker which lies close to Bobs Lake on it's east side.

JD.

On top of Mt. Flicker near Bobs Lake with the Vancouver Island mountains in the far distance.

Friday, June 12, 2015

Last week we drove south on Bell Road and up past the turnoff to the Hydro Reactor Station and then parked at the next road juction. From there the hike mainly followed the gasline south towards Bobs Lake but we took the winding trail on the left just before that really steep hill. This leads east and back to the main Bobs Lake Road and then it was just a short distance until turning off on the left and quickly after that headed uphill through the forest to the viewpoint at the top of Flicker Mountain. After lunch and a group photo with a young German visitor who seemed to be on a slow tour of Canada before heading off to explore Japan and China.

My photo was taken on a recent hike when we were climbing towards the high point of Thompson Bluffs. It's a closeup of an almost upside down Swallowtail butterfly holding onto and sipping nectar from the tiny pink flower of a Dogbane plant. In my experience this species of insect is more often seen in populated areas than in the countryside, but this one was far away from the nearest garden.

JD.

A Swallowtail Butterfly feeding from the tiny pink flower of a Dogbane plant.

Friday, June 5, 2015

The next hike will be on Saturday, 6th June.
We meet at the Ballpark in Gillies Bay at 10:00am

Last week we again had quite a small group of hikers and a perfect day for walking and certainly a good time to visit one of our many lunchspots with a view. Driving south towards Davie Bay and then at Eagle Creek taking the road on the left we parked part way up to Thompson Road. Thompson Bluffs was the destination and it truly was a great day to be at that viewpoint with the wide sweep of the Vancouver Island Mountains in front of us.

Usually we have to wait till the fall to start gathering bags full of mushrooms so it was quite a surprise to come upon a great mass of the edible Oyster Mushroom on a hike in May! They were in good condition for eating and every hiker who wanted some was able to go home with any amount they felt they could use. I cooked some each day for three days and used some of them even in an omelette.
JD.